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Degree Requirements 2023-2024

Major

Ten courses that must include:

  • WST 201 – Introduction to Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies
  • WST 315 or another mid-level course in feminist theory selected from an approved list
  • WST 485 – Senior Seminar
  • WST 199/399 – Internship
  • The remaining six electives are to be selected from approved Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies courses, and should include one course with a racial, ethnic, or global emphasis and one course with a sexuality emphasis. At least three of the six electives must be upper division courses. Students may take courses at any of the colleges participating in the Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies program. However, at least three courses must be completed at Augsburg.

Each student’s program must have the written approval of the Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies program coordinator.

Both majors and minors are encouraged to participate in one of the gender-focused semester study abroad programs offered through Augsburg’s Center for Global Education. Two programs have been pre-approved for Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies credit: Crossing Borders: Gender and Social Change in Mesoamerica (offered fall semester) and Migration and Globalization: Engaging Our Communities (offered spring semester).

Graduation Skills

The Speaking (S), Writing (W), and Critical Thinking (CT) graduation skills are embedded at all levels and are met by completing the major. The Quantitative Reasoning (QR) graduation skill can be met by completing MAT 163 or DST 164. Transfer students must consult an advisor about potential adjustments to their course requirements to fulfill each of these skills.

Minors and Concentrations

Students majoring in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies can pursue a concentration in Sexuality Studies and/or Global Women’s and Gender Studies. A concentration will be noted on the transcript at the point of graduation, not a minor.

Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Minor

Five courses that must include WST 201; WST 315; and three electives, one of which must be upper division. Courses may be taken from the other ACTC colleges as well as Augsburg. Each student’s program must have the written approval of the Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Program Coordinator.

Sexuality Studies Minor or Concentration

The 20-credit minor/concentration in Sexuality Studies offers students the opportunity to explore the history, social construction, and physiology of sexuality and to examine the cultural meanings of gender, sexual orientation, and sexual practice on a global level. Students are required to take three core courses plus two electives (one of which must be upper division), as follows:

Core Courses in Sexuality Studies:

  • WST 201 – Introduction to Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies
  • SOC 266 – Sociology of Love, Intimacy, and Sexuality
  • WST 305 – Introduction to Queer Studies
  • Two electives, including at least one upper division elective, chosen from:
    • WST 250 – Global Perspectives on Gender and Sexuality
    • WST 315 – Margins as Center: Feminist Theory
    • HPE 316 – Human Sexuality
    • WST 281/481 – Topics

Global Women’s and Gender Studies Minor or Concentration

The 20-credit minor/concentration in Global Women’s and Gender Studies offers students the opportunity to focus on women’s roles, experiences, and worldviews in a global context. Students are required to take three core courses plus two electives (one of which must be upper division), as follows:

Core Courses in Global Women’s and Gender Studies:

  • POL 359 – Topics: Women in Comparative Politics
  • WST 201 – Introduction to Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies
  • WST 315 – Margins as Center: Feminist Theory
  • Two electives, including at least one upper division elective, chosen from:
    • WST 250 – Global Perspectives on Gender and Sexuality
    • WST 281/481 – Topics
    • WST 313 – Environmental Theology and Ethics
    • WST 341 – Globalization, Social Struggles and the Environment
    • WST 357 – Mexican History, Culture and Cosmovision
    • WST 362 – Walking the Truth: Culture, Gender and Millennium Development Goals in Sub Saharan Africa
    • WST 366 – Latin American Liberation Theologies and Social Change
    • AIS 208 – Native American/First Nations Women and Film
    • AIS 305 – Indigenous Issues of Central America
    • ENL 365 – Contemporary Postcolonial Theory and Literature
    • HIS 195 – Topics in History: Promoting Justice and Seeking Equality – Globalization and Women’s Grassroots Movements in Latin America

Students are strongly encouraged to study abroad or to take at least one travel seminar.

Transfer Students

Students who transfer to Augsburg University and wish to complete a major or minor in Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies are urged to consult with the director of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies immediately upon transfer. The Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies program has an articulation agreement with Century College and with Inver Hills Community College that governs students from these institutions with a Women’s Studies certificate who transfer to Augsburg. Transfers from other colleges and universities must consult with the director of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies for approval of courses for the major or minor.


For a complete list of courses and descriptions, see the Course Description Search.